Cubs make several roster moves |
CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs today signed infielder Nicky Lopez to a one-year major league contract and selected the contract of left-handed pitcher Drew Pomeranz. In corresponding moves, right-handed pitcher Gavin Hollowell has been optioned to Triple-A Iowa, left-handed pitcher Justin Steele has been transferred to the 60-day IL and infielder Gage Workman has been designated for assignment.
Lopez, 30, played in four games (one start) with the Angels this season and went 0-for-6. He has hit .247 (521-for-2,110) with 83 doubles, 18 triples, seven home runs, 152 RBI and 47 stolen bases in 672 career major league games across seven seasons with Kansas City (2019-23), Atlanta (2023), Chicago – A.L. (2024) and Los Angeles – A.L. (2025). Lopez signed a minor league contract with an invitation to major league Spring Training with the Cubs on February 7 before opting out on March 21. He signed with the Angels on March 25 and elected free agency after being designated for assignment on April 18. Pomeranz, 36, pitched to a 4.66 ERA (5 ER/9.2 IP) with two saves in nine outings with Triple-A Tacoma (Seattle) this season. He has pitched in parts of 11 major league seasons with Colorado (2011-13), Oakland (2014-15), San Diego (2016, 2020-21), Boston (2016-2018), San Francisco (2019) and Milwaukee (2019), and posted an 8-9 record with nine saves, a 3.91 ERA (373 ER/858.1 IP) and 882 strikeouts in 289 games (140 starts). Pomeranz was acquired from Seattle on April 21 in exchange for cash considerations. Hollowell, 27, threw 2.0 scoreless innings last night, striking out two batters and not allowing a hit, after being recalled from Iowa earlier in the day. Steele, 29, was originally placed on the 15-day injured list on April 8 with left elbow tendinitis. Workman, 25, was a Rule 5 Draft pick from the Tigers. He played in nine games with the Cubs, hitting .214 (3-for-14) with one double and two RBI. The Cubs play the Los Angeles Dodgers today at 6:00 p.m. CT at Wrigley Field in a game that can be seen on Marquee Sports Network and heard on 670 the Score and, in Spanish, on WRTO 1200 AM.
